How many names does a woman bear? a woman has many names is a voice to women, and all others who care to listen. It is a finely-knitted thread of poems that focus on issues some women are too scared to share. The poems allay their fears by turning their reverberating sobs into reinvigorating songs while equally reassuring them of their innate abilities to triumph over travails.
The poet deploys her craft in the service of humanity by celebrating and championing the cause of the downtrodden whose essence are perennially punctured. She also deftly navigates other issues such as nationhood, inept governance and the universal subjects of love, hope, persistence and self-worth.
Every poem in this collection is a name thirsting for sunlight—an undying essence embodying beauty, courage and strength in ways that enliven our world. Ultimately, the poems present a broad range of answers to the question, does a woman have many names?
Author’s Profile:
Karimot Olabisi Odebode is a poet, writer and advocate from Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a graduate of Law from Obafemi Awolowo University. Karimot is an award-winning poet who has performed at several high-level meetings and conferences.
She uses her poetry to advocate for gender equality and a sustainable world. Karimot created the Transform Education anthem for the United Nation’s Girl’s Edcation Initiative (UNGEI), and her poetry has been featured by the Global Education Summit, Plan International, BBC Media Africa, UNICEF, International Telecommunications Union, DARE Conference amongst many others.
Karimot is the founder and project lead at the Black Girl’s Dream Initiative—a youth-led organisation that works to end female genital mutilation; promote education and leadership through arts, advocacy, research, technology and sports.
a woman has many times is her debut poetry collection.
She can be found on Instagram via @kaimotodebode, Twitter via @lady_karimah and her website, www.karimotodebode.com